Vertigo & Dizziness | Headaches, Migraines, TMJ, Tinnitus, Neck Pain Treatment

Vertigo & Dizziness Introduction

It’s More Than Just Your Balance

In addition to affecting your movement and concentration, the constant disruption of balance can also affect your life in other ways — depression, fatigue, stress, and anxiety are all common among vertigo and dizziness sufferers.

Take Control

Vertigo and dizziness can have many causes, and it can be difficult to pinpoint which one is responsible for your symptoms. Luckily, in many cases vertigo and dizziness can now be traced to underlying problems with the mouth and jaw — in these cases, chronic balance issues can actually be completely and permanently resolved.

Vertigo & Dizziness Symptoms

The Symptoms

• Vertigo and dizziness manifest as a disruption of the sense of balance and a feeling that one’s surroundings are shifting or moving.
• This feeling of movement is not “real,” but rather a result of an underlying problem that is disrupting the function of the body’s most important balance organ — the inner ear.

Vertigo & Dizziness Triggers

There is No Single Trigger

Vertigo and dizziness can have many different causes — medication side effects, damage to or pressure on the ear, nerve damage, disorders that affect blood supply to the brain, and even anxiety.

It Might Be Your Jaw’s Fault

• The human jaw can generate over 260 pounds of force at the molars, and unless this pressure is perfectly balanced it can throw the delicate balance of the jaw’s muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments into disarray.
• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where your jaw connects to the side of your head, right in front of the ears. It one of the most complicated joints in the body and has a specialized structure and tissue makeup, and any disruption of its balance can result in symptoms like vertigo or dizziness.

Vertigo & Dizziness Treatments

Minimize the Symptoms

• Compensation therapy can train vertigo sufferers how to best handle sensory and balance information.
• Vestibular suppressant and anti nausea medications can help, but cause side effects and are typically prescribed as very short term solutions.

Get Your Life Back

Finding And Treating The Underlying Cause

• Bite Force Analysis — this TruDenta technology is able to analyze and display the different forces at play in your mouth and jaw, right down to how much pressure is exerted by each individual tooth.
• Range of Motion Analysis — TruDenta’s ROM system measures any abnormal or restricted movement in your head and neck in order to narrow down potential causes and create a specialized treatment plan.

TruDenta Treatment System

• TruDenta’s different technologies work together to reduce pain and inflammation from the very first session, with the end goal of creating a complete and lasting resolution of symptoms.
• No injections and no medications means no unpleasant side effects.
• The whole-body approach combines state of the art ultrasound, cold laser, microcurrent, and trigger point manipulation techniques.

Signs and Symptoms of an Underlying Medical Condition

Between working, childcare, and yes, even scheduling doctor’s appointments for spouses and parents, that fatigue or pesky jaw pain is simply brushed off by many women.

And while many symptoms may be nothing more than a passing discomfort, there are other times when it may be a sign that there is something more serious going on.

“It’s important for women to understand that there’s no duration of a symptom that automatically makes it a red flag; other than crushing chest pain, some things can wait,” said NBC News medical contributor Dr. Natalie Azar. “There are also very benign explanations for a lot of things — as well as more serious explanations.”

What’s important is to first, be aware of what you’re feeling and take note of what’s normal for your body, and second, seek answers from your healthcare provider when something does feel off.

Here are three symptoms that women shouldn’t ignore:

1. Shortness of breath

You may find yourself needing to catch your breath fairly often throughout the day, whether it’s after a walk up the stairs or when carrying a heavy load of laundry. When is feeling winded a cause for concern?

“If it’s a change from your pattern it’s something to take into consideration,” said Azar. “For most of us in medicine, shortness of breath and chest pain are two red-flag symptoms … it’s better to be safe than sorry. Maybe you have a new allergy and you have some asthma … but you don’t know that. What if it is a blood clot?”

Sometimes it can simply be the fact that you haven’t been exercising and your cardiovascular fitness needs some work, said Azar. Other times, it can be a sign there’s a larger issue going on.

Persistent shortness of breath can be a symptom of:

Lung issues

• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Blood clots
• COPD
• COVID-19

Heart issues

“One thing that’s really important is you think shortness of breath, you think the lungs. Not always, especially for women. You’ve got to think of something from the heart … if you’re having shortness of breath that is persisting, you also need to rule out that it’s not cardiac in origin.” Heart issues that can cause shortness of breath include:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmia 

 2.

Jaw pain

Stress and grinding your teeth at night are both generally benign reasons behind why your jaw may be aching. But persistent jaw pain may also be a sign of an underlying health condition.

“Heart attacks, for women especially, it doesn’t always present with chest pain,” said Azar. “You can have pain that radiates to the jaw or down the arm. So, if you’re having unexplained left-sided jaw pain, better to be safe than sorry.”

Jaw pain can be a symptom of:

•  TMJ (the joint that connects the jaw bone to your skull)
• Arthritis
• Vascular problems
• Salivary gland disorder
• Heart attack
• Nerve pain

 3.

Frequent fatigue

You may be thinking ‘What woman isn’t fatigued? What’s the difference between normal tired and fatigue that could signal a larger issue?’ Azar explained that this is where it’s important to be aware of your own base energy levels — and be cognizant of any changes.

“I say this to my patients all the time, fatigue is probably the most subjective complaint because fatigue can mean something different to everyone,” said Azar, adding that many of the causes can be addressed and remedied. Anemia and thyroid disease “are usually pretty easy to diagnose and remedy;” fatigue can also be a symptom of mental issues like depression, she said, adding that a really good history by your doctor, asking you about pain, tolerance to exertion, etc. can help you get to the bottom of it.

Chronic fatigue can be a symptom of:

• Anemia
• Thyroid disease
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome
• Chronic kidney or liver disease
• Chronic lung disease

RELATED: 5 superfoods that improve your memory, energy and focus

The bottom line: Listen to your body

Only you are going to know what is normal for your body. Azar urges women to listen to their intuition and push for answers if something feels off.

“Listen to your body … If you feel like something isn’t right, please get it investigated until you get your questions answered,” she said. “A good (medical) history taken by your doctor and some investigation usually can get to the bottom of most of these symptoms, (which are) usually very treatable.”

Brianna Steinhilber

Brianna Steinhilber is an editor and writer on TODAY Health, Food, TMRW and NBC News BETTER.

Jaw crunches when chewing and opening the mouth

Clearly audible sounds during jaw movements are clear signs of impaired functioning of the temporomandibular joint. It is necessary to engage in its reconstruction as soon as possible, while the disease is still amenable to correction. The competence of the doctors of our Center, combined with modern technical capabilities, allows us to determine the cause and start correcting the pathology in a timely manner. Targeted treatment restores the joint, preserves its function and prevents serious complications .

Why does the jaw crack when moving?

Cracking in the jaw when yawning, while eating is never normal, it is always a sign of pathological changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The lower jaw is connected to the temporal bone by a joint in which everything is provided by nature, like in an engineering structure – there are two hard surfaces, and for smooth movements – a gasket (articular cartilage) and a lubricant (articular fluid).

If the cartilage is destroyed, and there is not enough liquid, solid parts rub against each other – clicks, friction, crunch are heard. Such symptoms reliably signal a malfunction in the joint. They are called TMJ dysfunction .

Sound accompaniment during jaw movement is one of the signs of joint arthrosis. This is a chronic progressive disease with a gradual destruction of cartilage tissue:

• constant friction leads to deformities – the elastic and smooth surface in the normal state becomes rough;
• the joint first clicks, then crackles violently;
• symptoms increase gradually – from mild discomfort when chewing to significant problems with opening the mouth and general well-being;
• in the advanced stage, muscle spasms and convulsions appear.

Causes of pathology

It is usually not possible to single out only one. Experts consider arthrosis of the TMJ to be a multifactorial disease.

Main causes:

Accompanying symptoms of TMJ dysfunction

In addition to unusual sounds when moving the jaw, arthrosis of the joint should alert: doctor :

What to do, which doctor to contact

Gnathologist can help . Sometimes it is an independent specialist, but more often its functions are performed by dentists with training in gnathology. Orthopedists and orthodontists usually receive special training.

Gnathology (from the Greek gnatos – upper jaw) is one of the areas in dentistry that studies the norm and pathology of the TMJ, its effect on bite and chewing.

Gnathologist – is a doctor who diagnoses and treats TMJ dysfunctions:

• He has deep knowledge of the structure of the temporomandibular joint, its functions and possible causes of its deterioration.
• Usually has extensive experience in orthopedic dentistry, has a good understanding of how unsuccessful fillings, crowns and dentures cause improper functioning of the jaw and joint.

A specialist performs diagnostics and establishes a diagnosis, draws up a treatment plan for the identified pathology.

It is quite possible that if your joint hurts and crackles, the doctor will refer you for additional consultations:

Diagnosis of pathology

The doctor conducts a complete examination of various parameters mouth opening.

Detects concomitant pathology of skeletal structures – disorders of the hip joints, the presence of symptoms of scoliosis (defects in posture, asymmetry of the shoulders and shoulder blades on the right and left sides).

How to treat a crunch in the jaw

Treatment of TMJ dysfunction is a complex problem, in dentistry it is solved in several stages in a certain sequence:

1. Pain management
2. Normalizing the position of the joint
3. Bite correction
4. Restoration of missing teeth

If general skeletal deformities affecting the functioning of the TMJ are detected, in parallel with dental treatment, the doctor gives recommendations on strengthening the muscular corset of the back and neck. Patients work with an osteopath, kinesitherapist or train on their own.

At the same time, chondroprotectors are prescribed to build destroyed articular cartilage.

The treatment of jaw crunching requires patience and perseverance

Cracking and clicking in the jaw are symptoms of TMJ arthrosis. This is a progressive disease, the optimal treatment of which is possible at stages 1-2. The specialists of our Center successfully carry out all types of correction at an early stage of the disease and completely restore the impaired function of the joint.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Chief Physician and Founder of Doctor Levin

Methods of treatment

There is no single correct way of treatment. From several possible options, the doctor chooses the most effective in a particular situation or uses a combination of them.

Splint therapy

Treatment with an occlusal splint system (splint in English – splint) restores normal joint function. The tire is a mouthguard made of silicone, made according to individual parameters. Fits in the mouth for permanent wear. With splint therapy:

• ligaments lengthen;
• reduced muscle effort during chewing;
• jaw joints return to the correct position;
• overloads of articular surfaces are eliminated.

TENS-therapy

TENS-therapy is a transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation used to relieve their hypertonicity and prevent jaw immobilization. In addition to the facial group, they work out the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, which are involved in the formation of the pathological position of the joints. TENS therapy:

• relieves muscle spasm;
• restores healthy jaw alignment;
• fixes the TMJ in the right place.

Restoring the correct position of the jaws allows you to stop the progression of arthrosis and reduce the severity of all its symptoms, as well as subsequently install implants, plan prosthetics in accordance with a new bite that does not disrupt the TMJ.

Botulinum Therapy

Neuroprotein treatment method borrowed from cosmetology. The drugs stop the transmission of bioelectrical signals from the nerve endings to the muscles and relax them. Injections are pointwise injected into the muscles of the temporal region in order to quickly relieve muscle tension and unlock the jaw joint, return it to its normal position and eliminate pathological friction of the articular surfaces.

The effect remains for a long time, lasting several months.

Bite correction

To ensure the normal functioning of the TMJ, it is necessary to fix the physiologically correct position of the jaws and restore contact between the teeth. For this, orthodontic treatment is carried out on fixed braces or removable aligners.

The teeth gradually take up a physiological position under the influence of the force with which structures press on them.

Restoration of teeth

If the teeth are partially destroyed or worn out, they are restored in several ways:

Such a solution will provide a uniform and full chewing, and will prevent overloading of the joint in the future.

The effectiveness of therapeutic measures

After complex treatment, the friction of the articular surfaces decreases, the crunch is not heard.

There is an improvement in all indicators:

• tense muscles relax;
• go away pain when opening the mouth;
• expands the range of motion of the jaw;
• makes eating easier;
• convulsions stop,
• is not bothered by headaches and discomfort in the neck.

But you need to understand that the crunch in the jaw, as a symptom of arthrosis of the TMJ, can be cured at 1-2 stages. Otherwise, they resort to surgical intervention as a last resort in case of pronounced morphological changes in the joint.

Doctor’s advice

During and after treatment, you will have to change your habits and daily lifestyle. The set of restrictions is small, but they must be observed constantly.

During treatment it is impossible :

• Eat solid food – the more pronounced the symptoms of the disease, the softer the prepared food should be, up to cereals, puree soups, kissels and juices
• Use chewing gum – prolonged mechanical stress provokes an exacerbation of arthrosis
• Practice vocals – prolonged singing leads to fatigue of facial muscles, excessive movements in the joint

Required after treatment

Frequently asked questions from patients

What medicines are prescribed for the treatment of jaw crunch?

As a rule, these are:

• Analgesics. Effective drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Quickly reduce pain and swelling.
• Preparations based on medical bile, bee or snake venom. Before using them, be sure to make sure that there is no allergy.
• Antispasmodics. Tableted forms of muscle relaxants relax the facial muscles well and eliminate pain.
• Adrenal hormones. Prescribed for severe pain. Drugs inhibit inflammation, relieve swelling.
• Chondroprotectors. Restore cartilage.

All drugs should be taken only on prescription, according to a certain regimen and in prescribed dosages. Uncontrolled intake can only aggravate the situation!

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Head Physician of Center

What to do if treatment with a gnatologist does not help?

Cracking in the jaw, as a symptom of TMJ arthrosis, can be cured in stages 1-2. Otherwise, they resort to surgical intervention as a last resort in case of pronounced morphological changes in the joint. There are several options for surgical intervention:

• mandibular cartilage plasty;
• reduction of the articular disc;
• suturing of the joint capsule and sprained ligaments;
• intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid that mimics joint fluid.

If the joint is so damaged that movement is impossible, the meniscus and mandibular head are removed and arthroplasty is performed.

These methods are quite aggressive and not always successful – the functions of the joint are not fully restored, so it is better to start treatment in the early stages when the first symptoms appear.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, chief physician of the Center

Is it possible to get rid of the crunch in the joint by home methods?

Unlike other diseases (infectious, colds), joint diseases do not disappear on their own, they only increase with time. To leave jaw arthrosis without due attention means to bring the onset of complete immobility in the joint closer.

Excessive enthusiasm for folk remedies leads to similar results. Rubbing extracts of propolis and eucalyptus, olive oil and cedar resin, beeswax compresses do not affect the function of the affected joint in any way – medicinal substances only nourish the skin, but do not penetrate into the joint cavity.

Levin Dmitry Valerievich
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Head Physician of Center

Levin Dmitry Valerievich

Author of the article. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, chief physician of the Center

Published: 07/08/2022

Updated: 06/06/2023

All about pain in the upper jaw

What should be done to diagnose and treat pain in the upper jaw ? To solve this problem, the first step is for the patient to make an appointment with the dentist. After the initial examination, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

• Consultation with an oral surgeon
• Orthodontist consultation
• CT jaw
• MRI of the temporomandibular joint
• Laboratory tests.

Causes of pain in the upper jaw

Pain in the upper jaw is most often associated with diseases of the temporomandibular joint or dental pain. Pathology in the temporomandibular joint is observed in 1 out of 10 patients who complain of pain in the upper jaw. The TMJ is a paired joint that connects the jaw to the base of the skull. It allows you to talk, laugh and chew, and the jaws move up and down and from side to side. Because of the articulating and sliding motions, this joint is slightly more complex than other joints in the body and can cause various jaw pains.

Pain in the temporomandibular joint and jaw pain

Pain in the temporomandibular joint can be a consequence of:

• osteoarthritis
• joint hypermobility
• osteoporosis
• temporomandibular joint dysfunctions
• malocclusion

They are often accompanied by accompanying symptoms:

• tense muscles of the face or jaw
• pain in the jaw or face
• “clicking” noise in the jaw
• Jaw restriction
• changes in occlusion
• headaches and TMJ areas
• tension headaches.

Pain in the upper part of the jaw may be associated with damage to the teeth. Such pains are usually acute.

Heart attack and jaw pain

As a rule, pain in the jaw on one side is not a cause for concern. But in rare cases, it can be an early sign of a heart attack. Anyone can experience this symptom, but it is more common in women. Jaw pain from a heart attack is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

• chest pain that goes away during rest but keeps coming back from time to time
• tightness, pain and pressure in the chest and arms, which may extend to the jaw, neck, back and abdomen
• heartburn or indigestion
• shortness of breath
• nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
• extreme fatigue
• dizziness
• sudden cold sweat.

These symptoms may develop suddenly or over several hours or days. If jaw pain is accompanied by some of these symptoms, then it is recommended to immediately contact a cardiologist, as a heart attack can be fatal.

Sinus infection and pain in the maxilla and maxillary sinuses

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is inflammation or swelling of the tissues of the sinus. This is an air-filled cavity located next to the nose. There are 4 paranasal sinuses, the largest of which – the maxillary sinus – is located in the jaw next to the cheekbones. Inflammation of the tissues of the sinuses causes various symptoms, such as: runny nose, headache, nasal congestion, facial pain in the cheeks and upper jaw.

Tooth abscess and maxillary tooth pain

Bacteria in the mouth due to poor dental hygiene cause tooth abscess. This is an infection that affects the teeth, gums, and bones, but if left untreated, can spread to the cheekbones and surrounding tissues. An abscess increases the risk of developing osteomyelitis. This is an infection that spreads to a bone, such as the jaw. Symptoms of infection include: severe pain in the teeth of the upper jaw, high fever, chills, sweating, weakness.

Trigeminal neuralgia and severe, sharp pain in the upper jaw

Trigeminal neuralgia can cause jaw pain. The trigeminal nerve provides sensation to the face. Pressure on it causes shooting, sharp, sharp pain in the lower and upper jaw, teeth or cheeks. The exact cause of the condition is not clear, but certain activities provoke this disorder: chewing, vibrating, brushing teeth, talking, moving the head.

Toothache and aching in the right or left upper jaw and teeth

Toothache is often caused by caries. This is when holes appear on the hard surface of the tooth. Pain in the upper jaw during caries can be dull or sharp. In addition, swelling, fever, headache are possible. Other dental problems can also cause upper jaw toothache, such as a cracked tooth, a broken filling, or new teeth coming through.

Dental procedure and pain in the upper jaw

Pain in the upper jaw and teeth after dental procedures is not uncommon. These include jaw pain after: tooth extraction, root canal treatment, dental fillings. Pain in the jaw and teeth is normal. But see your dentist if swelling or pain continues or gets worse after 3 days.

Periodontal disease and gum pain in the upper jaw

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, destroys the soft tissues of the mouth and the bones that support the teeth. This disease is often associated with poor dental hygiene. If left untreated, severe infection leads to tooth loss. The infection can also spread to other parts of the body and increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease.

How a doctor diagnoses the causes of pain in the upper jaw

The primary diagnosis of the causes of pain in the upper jaw is done by the dentist. Based on the results of the initial examination, he can refer the patient

• for a consultation with an orthodontist
• for a consultation with a jaw surgeon
• MRI of the temporomandibular joint
• CT of the jaw.

How a doctor treats upper jaw pain

If upper jaw pain is related to the temporomandibular joint, a facial surgeon may recommend lifestyle changes, including:

• avoidance of solid food
• stress reduction to prevent behavior such as clenching of the jaws
• Avoid jaw movements, such as when yawning or chewing gum

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed for a short period of time to relieve upper jaw pain. Placing ice on the upper jaw can also help relieve pain.

The doctor will also be able to show the patient exercises for the jaw, which relax the muscles and relieve pain symptoms.

If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications do not help with pain symptoms, your doctor may suggest using a stabilizing splint.

Pain in the upper jaw may require orthodontic manipulation to permanently change the bite.

Home treatment for jaw pain

If the patient has mild or temporary jaw pain, then special treatment may not be needed. If the cause is not serious, the pain usually subsides on its own as the condition improves. The following recommendations help control jaw pain:

• warm Heat helps to relax muscles and relieves pain and stiffness
• ice or cold compresses. They may be especially useful for treating edema
• painkillers. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and other over-the-counter pain medications can help temporarily relieve jaw pain
• selection of foods that do not require intensive chewing, avoids overworking the muscles of the jaw
• massage. A physical therapist or massage therapist may use massage therapy to relieve pain and tension in the jaw. The patient can also learn to use some of the techniques on their own. They can be especially useful in diseases of the temporomandibular joint
• rest. If jaw pain is due to grinding or clenching of teeth, then relaxing the muscles can also help relieve jaw pain
• change in sleeping position. If the patient always sleeps on one side or sleeps with the hand under the jaw, this can put pressure on the muscles. Even if the pain has a different cause, sleeping on the other side can help relieve jaw pain.

Share:

The best doctors in St. Petersburg

Andreev Petr Alexandrovich

Rating: 4.8 / 5

Enroll

Arabi Sari

Rating: 4.7 / 5

Enroll

Basieva Elina Valerievna

Rating: 4.9 / 5

Enroll

Boznyakova Anastasia Valerievna

Rating: 4.8 / 5

Enroll

Vetukh Vadim Sergeevich

Rating: 4. 7 / 5

Enroll

Emelyanov Mikhail Yurievich

Rating: 4.8 / 5

Enroll

Scientific sources:

1. Shchechkin V.N., Volkov Yu.N. Osteoclastoma of the upper jaw. -Bulletin of otolaryn., 1978, No. 2, p. 45-50.
2. Chibisova M.A. Diagnostic possibilities of dental computed tomography in maxillofacial surgery and surgical dentistry // Dental Yug. 2008. No. 10. – S. 52-54
3. Balin V.N., Kuznetsov S.V., Iordanishvili A.K. Computed tomography in the recognition of diseases of the maxillary sinuses // Zdravookhr. Belarus-1994 – No. 3. – P. 46-48.
4. Chibisova M.A. Possibilities of using the NEW VOLUME 3G dental volumetric tomograph in implantology, surgical dentistry and maxillofacial surgery / M.A. Chibisova // Institute of Dentistry. – 2009. – No. 5. – S. 86-88.
5. Kulakov A.A., Rabukhina H.A., Adonina O.V. Diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography in the study of odontogenic cysts that have grown into the cavity of the maxillary sinuses // Stomatology. 2005. – No. 1. – S. 36-40

Useful information

Pain in the lower jaw

What should be done to diagnose and treat pain in the lower jaw? To solve this problem, the first step for the patient is to make an appointment with the maxillofacial surgeon. After the initial examination, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

jaw CT
MRI of the temporomandibular joint
Skull CT
Electromyography.

read more +

jaw cancer

What needs to be done to diagnose and treat jaw cancer? To solve this problem, the first step for the patient is to make an appointment with the dentist. After the initial examination, the doctor may prescribe additional studies:

Consultation with maxillofacial surgeon, oncologist
jaw CT
MRI of the temporomandibular joint
jaw x-ray.

read more +

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

What needs to be done to diagnose and treat temporomandibular joint dysfunction? To solve this problem, the first step for the patient is to make an appointment with the dentist.